As reproductive performance is an important criterion in animal production, there is considerable interest in prolific breeds. Certain prolific breeds of sheep produce an average of more than two lambs per pregnancy. With the "discovery" of the Finnsheep and Romanov breeds, followed in the 1980s by the discovery of the Booroola gene in Australia, research into prolificacy has escalated. Also, artificial insemination and embryo transfer techniques now make it easier to move prolific breeds across continents and incorporate prolificacy into local populations. There have also been a number of recent studies on the physiology, nutrition and management of prolific sheep. Previously there has been no single book reviewing and collating current knowledge of prolific sheep. This book fills the gap and covers all aspects of the subject, including descriptions of the various breeds. Written by authors from every region of the world, the book is a comprehensive work on this subject.

Genetics of Reproduction in Sheep is a compilation of papers that are concerned with the study and application of genetics to the reproduction in sheep. The book is divided into six parts, grouping the papers according to topic. The main topics include genetic variation and selection; the inheritance and the effects of the Booroola gene; genetic strategies for single genes; physiology of genetic variation; the physiological criteria of genetic merit; and the national requirement and systems of husbandry. The text is recommended for those involved with raising sheep and plan to apply genetics in their reproduction, as well as for geneticists who wish to conduct studies on how their field is applied to sheep reproduction.

Perhaps less than 10 percent of the world's sheep have hair coats instead of wool fleeces, but as an animal resource, these sheep are important far out of proportion to their numbers. Hair coats provide an advantage in the face of the heat, humidity, and other stresses of the tropics. Small in body size, early to mature, and often highly prolific,

The Sheep and Goat Handbook includes presentations made at the International Stockmen's School, January 8-13, 1984.The faculty members of the School who authored this fourth volume of the Handbook, along with books on beef cattle, dairy cattle, and horses, are scholars, stockmen, and agribusiness leaders with national and international reputations. The papers are a mixture of technology and practice that present new concepts from the latest research results of experiments in all parts of the world. Relevant information and concepts from many related disciplines are included.

Pastoralism refers to the type of farming system which uses extensive grazing on grasslands for livestock production. This type of farming covers 25 per cent of the world's land area and supports 20 million households. It makes substantial contributions to the economies of developing countries, although agricultural encroachment, conflict and drought continue to erode this way of life. This publication considers key policy issues and trends involved in attempts to improve the livelihoods of pastoralist families and communities.